Max Verstappen slams 2026 F1 regulations as 'anti-racing' and 'not fun'

Max Verstappen has delivered a scathing assessment of Formula 1's 2026 technical regulations, labeling them "anti-racing" and comparing the driving experience to "Formula E on steroids." The Red Bull driver revealed his disdain is so strong that he refused to continue testing the 2026 car in the team's simulator last year, finding it profoundly unpleasant to drive.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's brutally honest critique, coming from the sport's reigning champion and biggest star, presents a significant public relations challenge for the FIA and FOM. His comments amplify existing concerns about the sport's direction and could influence fan perception and driver retention, especially as Verstappen himself hints that such regulations make a long-term future in F1 less appealing.

The details:

• Simulator Refusal: Verstappen stated that the 2026 car felt so bad compared to the 2025 model that he deliberately told Red Bull he no longer wanted to drive it in the simulator, opting to focus solely on the current car's development instead.
• Core Complaints: He identified multiple fundamental flaws, criticizing the cars as "very inefficient on the straights" in terms of energy usage and lamenting the overall lack of grip and fun.
• Tactical, Not Instinctive: The Dutchman echoed George Russell's earlier point, explaining that the fastest cornering line is no longer optimal for lap time. Drivers may gain time in a corner but lose more on the subsequent straight due to poor energy recovery, a dynamic he dismisses as nonsensical for F1.
• Future Motivation Impact: Verstappen directly linked the quality of the racing product to his career longevity, suggesting that winning has been achieved and unenjoyable cars make exploring "other nice things"—like endurance and GT3 racing—more attractive.

What's next:

Verstappen predicts the full extent of the problem will become clear at circuits with longer straights, like Melbourne. While unconcerned about backlash for his comments, his stark warning places immediate pressure on the rule-makers. The coming months will reveal if other drivers voice similar concerns and whether the FIA addresses these criticisms before the 2026 rules are finalized.